Tasmania’s ‘Roadmap to Recovery’

READ THE FULL RECOVERY PLAN HERE. Roadmap is at bottom of this article.

The state will follow a three-stage roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions, the Premier announced this afternoon.

From 11 May, up to 20 people will be able to attend funerals and national parks and reserves will open to residents for exercise if they live within 30km of that park, as well as changes to aged care visit rules.

Stage one will begin the following Monday, 18 May. Gatherings will be capped at 10 people, and restaurants and cafes in all settings, including pubs/hotels, will be able to open and seat up to 10.

Stage two will begin on 15 June, subject to public health advice. This will include increase on gathering limit up to 20, funeral attendances up to 50, and eased rules for travel within the state.

Stage three will begin on 13 July, again subject to public health advice. This will allow gatherings of 50-100 people, aged care homes will be allowed up to five visitors and multiple visits. Border controls will remain in place. Bars, nightclubs will be able to reopen.

“This isn’t over,” said Premier Gutwein. “It’s going to be important that all Tasmanians take their part. We will all have to work hard together.”

“Our pathway back will be gradual. It will be careful.”

“We must keep our community safe. As we step back into this, we must make sure we do this sensibly and responsibly.”

He noted that there may be differences with other jurisdictions. “I want to ask Tasmanians to continue to follow the rules…the Tasmanian rules.”

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff also released a plan for a staged return to school-based learning.

“A staged approach will enable us to carefully manage, monitor and review the impact of increasing people movements,” he said. “As always we will continue to be guided by Public Health advice, which could be subject to change.”

From Monday 25 May 2020:

• Kindergarten to Year 6 students will return to learning at school
• All Year 11 and 12 students return to learning at school/college (including Extension Schools).
• Students in Year 7 to 10 will continue to learn at home.

From Tuesday 9 June 2020:

• Government Year 7-10 students (all remaining students) will return to learning at school.

He reiterated that the Department of Education will continue to support students and staff who are considered at high risk of COVID-19 to remain at home during Term 2.

A kindergarten catchup program will be considered for Term 3, with details to be worked out.

Further information about schools arrangements is available here.

Deputy Director of Public Health Scott McKeown said that progress from stage to stage would not be automatic. “The fundamental decision is how to best protect public health in Tasmania.”

He said the important public health principles were that safer public premises could open sooner.

“We all need to be very mindful of protecting people in our communities who remain vulnerable to coronavirus.”

He clarified that team sports with lots of contact were for stage three, with guidance from the AIS Framework.

Responses

The Greens commended the Premier for outlining a clear, staged and steady pathway to short term recovery from the coronavirus lockdown.

“Now Tasmanians can see some light through the darkness,” said Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor. “It’s been heartbreaking for some and hard for many, but we should all be proud of how our island community is responding in this time of true crisis.”

“Tasmania can eliminate this virus with a responsive staged and steady approach, and if we all follow the rules. The last thing we want is a second wave of infections and the need to step backwards to tougher restrictions. We are thankful for Premier Gutwein’s leadership in these hard times for humanity.”

She also welcomed the ‘unlocking’ of parks and reserves from Monday.

Tasmanian Labor also welcomed clearer timeframes for Tasmania’s recovery process from the COVID-19 crisis. Leader Rebecca White said a cautious approach to easing restrictions was the best model going forward.

“While Tasmanians now have a clearer picture of when restrictions may ease, we must not become complacent,” White said. “It’s important Tasmanians follow the plan for recovery, continue to adhere to social distancing rules and present to testing clinics around the state.”

“This recovery plan relies on all of us continuing to do the right thing to prevent us returning to stronger restrictions in the future. I want to thank Tasmanians for their efforts so far in staying home and saving lives – together we will get through this.”

TASMANIAN TIMES: Fed Govt’s 3-Step Plan.

All roadmap stages are subject to Public Health advice:

STAGE 1

18 May 2020

• Gatherings increase to 10 people (except visitors to households, which is capped at 5 people) for indoor and outdoor, including real estate, small religious gatherings and weddings. Funerals can extend to 30 people outdoors.
• Restaurants and cafes in all settings (including restaurants in pubs, clubs, hotels and RSLs) to open and seat patrons of up to 10 people at a time. Seated table service only with physical distancing.
• Border controls remain in place except domestic travelling Tasmanian residents can quarantine in their principal residence if it is suitable. International arrival arrangements remain in place.
• Community and local government facilities and libraries allowed to open for up to 10 people.
• Park exercise equipment and playgrounds, pools and boot camps open for up to 10 people.
• Vulnerable people are encouraged to stay home and protect their health. (Vulnerable people includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions. People 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions. People 70 years and older. People with compromised immune systems, and people with a disability)

25 May 2020

• Kindergarten to Year 6 students return to learning at school.
• Year 11 and 12 students at extension schools and colleges return to learning at school.
• Aged care visits – move to national restrictions of two visitors, once a day.

9 June 2020

• High school students from years 7 to 10 students return to learning at school.

13 June 2020

• Racing resumes (subject to a review and risk-assessment by Public Health).

STAGE 2

15 June  2020

• Gatherings increase to 20 people at a time for indoor and outdoor, including restaurants/cafes, cinemas, museums, galleries, theatres, performance venues, historic sites, religious gatherings and weddings.
• Visitors to households to be reviewed.
• Funerals up to 50 people.
• Accommodation, unlimited.
• Camping, overnight boating and shacks open with up to 20 people.
• Open homes and auctions can resume with 20 people.
• Border controls remain in place.
• Gyms and boot camps for up to 20 people.
• Beauty services (including tattoo, nails, waxing, facials and tanning) for up to 20 people.
• Park exercise equipment and playgrounds open for up to 20 people.
• Outdoor community sport to resume, with up to 20 athletes/personnel (as guided by AIS proposed framework for rebooting community sport)
• Indoor sport and recreation, including pools with up to 20 people (as guided by AIS proposed framework for rebooting community sport).
• Vulnerable people are encouraged to stay home and protect their health.

Stage 3

13 July 2020

• Gatherings: 50 – 100 (indoor/outdoor) with the maximum allowable number to be determined by Public Health.
• Aged care homes allowed 5 visitors and multiple visits
• Border controls remain in place.
• Consider opening bars, night clubs and casinos/gaming.
• Markets to open, subject to Public Health advice.
• Food courts and food vans at markets may open.
• Spas and bathhouses to reopen.
• Day trips and camping for school groups allowed.
• Outdoor community sport (as guided by AIS proposed framework for rebooting community sport) to resume, with numbers to be guided by Public Health.
• Indoor sport and recreation (as guided by AIS proposed framework for rebooting community sport), including pools with numbers to be guided by Public Health.
• Vulnerable people are encouraged to stay home and protect their health.